ARTICLE TOOLS

Abstract

The most significant challenges to the commercialization of fuel cells are cost and durability. The electrochemical oxidation of carbon in low-temperature fuel cells reduces the lifetime of these power plants. This article presents a current understanding of carbon oxidation and corrosion mechanisms that accelerate the reaction. Carbon is oxidized under various conditions including the reverse-current mechanism, which occurs when a fuel cell is started or stopped and during localized fuel starvation. Models and mitigation strategies are presented to enhance the understanding of the reverse-current mechanism. We conclude that a combined system and material mitigation strategy is necessary to overcome this corrosion mechanism.